Seed Gall Nematode (also known as Wheat Nematode or Ear Cockle) As diseased plants
approach maturity, galls are formed in
the florets, replacing the kernels. (photo: CIMMYT)

Seed Gall Nematode (also known as Wheat
Nematode or Ear Cockle) The galls are similar
in shape to the seed they replace and are
dark brown in color. (photo: CIMMYT)

Scientific name

Anguina tritici (Steinbuch) Chitwood

Importance

The pest should not be a problem where good seed production systems are in place. It is extinct or rare in most parts of Europe, Australasia, Russia and North America.

Some countries consider Anguina tritici an important quarantine/quality concern and impose a nil tolerance for galls in imported grain. Trade implications are the major impact of this nematode.

Significance

This nematode is rarely of economic importance.

Symptoms

Distorted leaves and stems are evident prior to heading. As diseased plants approach maturity, galls are formed in the florets, replacing the kernels. Seed galls in cereals are known as ear cockle. The galls are similar in shape to the seed they replace but are dark brown in color. Large numbers of motile larvae are present within the galls and become active after the galls have been moistened.

Although potentially an important pest in its own right, Anguina tritici also acts as a vector for Rathayibacter tritici, which causes yellow slime rot or tundu.

Ear cockle was in the past reported in all the major wheat-growing areas. However, Anguina tritici has now become rare or locally extinct in many countries. It is still found in the Near and Middle East, the Asian Subcontinent, China, and parts of Africa.

Biology and transmission

The female is about 3.8 mm long and spirally coiled. Although females exhibit some movement, they are effectively immobile. The stylet is relatively short at 8 to 10 μm long. Males are not as robust as the females, curved rather than coiled and only about 2.4 mm long.

At maturity, the galls induced by the nematode contain large numbers of second stage juveniles (J2s, c. 800 μm long), which are the survival, dispersal and invasive stage of Anguina tritici. Galls already in the soil or sown with contaminated seeds are the sources of infestation. In the field, galls become moist and soft, facilitating release of second stage juveniles. Juveniles move progressively to the growing tip until they penetrate the floral primordia, where they develop to maturity. Females lay thousands of eggs in the developing seed gall; these hatch and when the juveniles reach the J2 stage they enter anhydrobiosis. There is one generation per year.

Detection/indexing methods used

At CIMMYT: Physical inspection of seed.

At ICARDA: Visual inspection, nematode soaking test

Treatment/control

Seed cleaning and crop rotation together can achieve complete control to the point of localised extinction. Modern harvesting, seed cleaning and testing practices are more than adequate to ensure that seed is free of the nematode. The most effective control is by mechanical seed cleaning. Galls may be also removed by submersion of the seed in 20% brine solution (galls float to the surface), followed by thorough washing in water. Hot water treatment at 54°C for 10 min is also reported to be effective in killing the nematodes.

Modern harvesting, seed cleaning and testing practices are more than adequate to ensure seed free of the nematode. For small seed lots, where this technology is not available, brine (10%) flotation is more efficient than hand sieving.

In addition to clean seed, carryover from one crop to the next in the same or adjacent fields needs to be avoided. Despite having a remarkable longevity when stored dry, only a small proportion of juveniles will survive to a second season in the field, hence rotation with a non-host crop and control of volunteer wheat will provide effective field control.

Procedures followed at the centers in case of positive test

At CIMMYT: The seed lot is destroyed (the nematode is quarantined in Mexico).